1. Intro to Print Journalism Writing for Newspapers Extra! Read all about it! Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge

2. Writing a Lead Who?What?When?Where?Why?How?

3. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge The Lead The opening sentences in a news story tell what happened. The writer reveals the ending at the beginning of the piece. The reader who wants more info can read on to get the next important facts or move on to another story. The writer might save a humorous or ironic detail for the ending.

4. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge The Body Use descriptive words and quotes from people on the scene to add color to the story. A newspaper writer can go into much more detail than a newscaster who has limited time on a radio or TV broadcast.

5. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge The 5 W’s & H WHO: The President WHAT: Knocked Out WHEN: During Ballgame WHERE: Yankee Stadium WHY: Didn’t Duck HOW: By Baseball

6. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge The facts: President Melvin Monroe was knocked out. A home run ball bounced off his head. He was at Yankee Stadium. The game was today. He was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital. Doctors said he regained consciousness. He was overseas with U.S. troops yesterday. He had just taken his seat in right field. Yankee slugger Dirt Dudley’s homer hit the president. A nearby fan said: “The poor guy never saw it coming. Or maybe he just forgot to duck.”

7. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Writing the story Put the most important facts in the opening sentences. Readers want to know what happened to the president. They want to know if he’s okay. Add other details later.

8. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge The Lead President Melvin Monroe was knocked out by a home run ball that caromed off his noggin while he was enjoying a game at Yankee Stadium today. He was rushed to a local hospital where he regained consciousness and was resting uncomfortably, doctors reported.

9. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge The Body (include details) Relaxing at the ballpark after spending yesterday with U.S. troops overseas, President Monroe had just taken his seat among the crowd in right field when Yankee slugger Dirt Dudley smacked a high drive over the fence. “The poor guy never saw it coming,” said a nearby fan. “Or maybe he just forgot to duck.”

10. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge THE REST OF THE STORY The Body (Part 2) The home run ball caromed off the top of the president’s skull as he was about to take a bite out of his hot dog, a spectator noted. Dudley, oblivious to the consequence of his towering blast, pumped his fist into the air as he rounded the bases.

11. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge The Body (Part 3) “Hope the president didn’t take it personally,” said Dudley after the game. “After all, I’m a Republican and he’s a Democrat.” The burly Yankee slugger laughed. “Maybe it’ll knock some sense into him. Hey, hope I’m not reading that quote with my coffee in the morning.”

12. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge The Body (Part 4) The game was delayed for an hour while the president was removed from the stands on a stretcher. When the ambulance, siren wailing, roared off, the ballgame finally resumed. A little girl at the game, Alice Swan, made a diving catch of the fateful ball as it bounced around in the stands. Dudley later signed the baseball for her and, in the hospital at a bedside ceremony led by New York Mayor Ronald Rumple, Alice presented the autographed souvenir to the dazed but smiling president.